Love that we get 4 days of favorites! My top 5 historical fiction mirrors yours in some instances. 5) The Forest of Vanishing Stars, 4) This Tender Land, 3) Sunflower Sisters, 2) Homegoing and 1) The Lincoln Highway. A great reading year for this historical fiction lover!
I really need to read more in the Lilac Girls series of books. I did love that first one a bunch. Homegoing was definitely a fave the year I read that one. We really do have similar historical fiction tastes.
Loved Where the Lost Wa fer, The Orphan Collector, The Four Winds, and A Thousand Splendid Suns. The Forest of Vanishing Stars and The Lincoln Highway are on my list for this year.
I’m currently reading Where the Lost Wander and LOVING it! 😭❤️ I added it to my TBR after you recommended it a while ago. I’m glad to see it made number 1!
@@BooksAndJams I finished yesterday and loved it 😭 John is such a good man, like, one of those characters that are just... GOOD. You know? I loved him so much ❤️
I love that you did a Top Ten of assorted genres. Brilliant idea. Where the Lost Wander is definitely one of my top reads of 2021. I will be buddy reading This Tender Land with Vicky's Book Nook in February. :)
The Book of Lost Names was excellent. Not a huge historical fiction fan but I’m going to change that this year. So thank you for the suggestion!!!! Can’t wait to dive in!!!
I definitely want to read more from Fiona Davis. I have heard a few people read and love Mirielle West this year. It's on my radar for sure and I just added it to my wishlist so I don't forget about it. Thanks for the recs!
Totally agree with you on Where the Lost Wander, super book. Have you read any Kate Furnivall books? I also discovered Ann (without an E) Bennett’s books last year and loving reading through all of them. Happy reading 📚
Love it! Yes for Where the Lost Wander! It made its way into my top as well. Nature of Fragile Things did too! Can't wait to read some of these other ones you mentioned. Basically book twins!
Where the Lost Wander was my number 1 book of the year as well. It was the very first book I read in 2021. I love that book! Historical Fiction is my favorite genre as well.
I’m currently reading Where the Lost Wander and can’t stop thinking about it when I’m not reading it. Incredible so far! Naomi may be one of my favorite characters ever.
Wow what a great list!! I have read The Nature of Fragile Things, The Four Winds, This Tender Land, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and Where the Lost Wander. I thought all of them were great too! I had all but 2 of the other on my TBR. They are now on there 😛!
Love it. All but 2 either read already or on your radar. You'll have to let me know some of your favorites that I might not have read. We clearly have very similar tastes.
@@BooksAndJams hmm some of my favorites that I dont know if you read are The Fountains of Silence, Words on Fire (middle grade), Listening for Lions (also middle grade), The Huntress, The Great Alone, and Pillars of the Earth (I read this a long time ago and I remember it being a bit graphic so not sure I would still love it).
So very excited to see The Lincoln Highway made it to your top ten! I still have not yet read it, but seeing it on your list makes me all the more excited to do so! A few on your list made it to my top favorites of the year as well, such as The Four Winds, The Nature of Fragile Things, and The Book of Lost Names. I really want to read The Girl with the Louding Voice. I hope to do so sometime this year!
After thinking about it I'm not sure I'd classify The Girl with the Louding Voice as historical fiction, but still, it's a fantastic (and hard at times) read. Hope you love it.
Such great ones on this list! I read The Orphan Collector, The Nature of Fragile Things, The Book of Lost Names and This Tender Land. All were fantastic!
I really was moved by The Orphan Collector, there were so many different emotions going on in there, just kept me turning the pages which I love.I also really loved This Tender Land, my sweet Mum who has since passed away highly encouraged me to read it and I am so glad I did. I very much miss her for many things, sharing a love of reading and books is one of them. I remember many a time taking a bag full of books to share over to her house and we would sit out on her back porch and talk about books, have some lunch, and just enjoy each other's company. 💕
I love that you have that mom connection to This Tender Land. I'm sure that makes it even more special to you. How wonderful that you were able to share a love of reading together as well as other things. Love that memory you shared. Priceless.
I read As Bright as Heaven by SUsan Meissner because of your recomendation, so thank you! I've put on hold her other books at the library, now. I'm also picking up Four Winds tomorrow from the library and signed out the Orphan COllector audiobook. Thanks for this video!
Where the Lost Wander was my favourite of all the historical fiction that I read as well. I don't usually read books a second time, but thi This is one that I want to read over and over. Beautiful book! This Tender Land was another one that I read so quickly. Could not put it down! Thanks Krista for sharing your faves with us! Loved it!
I am thinking I'd like to reread Where the Lost Wander this year too, but I want to read a few more of her other books that I own first. She's fantastic.
Such a great top 10, Krista! I've read a few, have a few I have awaiting me on my TBR pile because of your loving them, and now I'll be adding more. Fun post! My favorite historical fiction last year was The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, The Kite Runner, The Hiding Place, the Nature of Fragile Things and A Hundred Flowers. If a Gentleman in Moscow is considered historical fiction then that is definitely up there on that list too!
The Hiding Place is a book I'd love to reread. I read it in High School, which was a looooong time ago! I have a beautiful edition of it and would like to revisit that one. I am not familiar with A Hundred Flowers. I'll have to look that one up.
I am also a big fan of Kristen Hannah and love the Four Winds even though parts of it were hard to read. I also enjoyed This Tender Land.. I read A Thousand Splendid Suns quite some time ago, but remember really liking it. Did you read The Rose Code? I am a big fan of Kate Quinn. I really loved this book.
I also read A Thousand Splendid Suns this year! Like you said, Difficult to read, but really good. And I added Where The Lost Wander and The Orphan Collector to my reading list because of your recommendations.
It’s SO true that historical fiction can be hard-hitting but so hopeful as well. I just love this genre so much. I’m putting a huge emphasis on reading it this year. Where The Lost Wander is tippy top of my TBR, a definite 5 star prediction! 😍
Someone wanted me to do a video of historical fiction with a good romance in them...not historical romance. I recommend that you be the one to do that video! I think you'd nail it.
WOW! What a great list! I own a lot of these books but haven't read them yet. UGH! I think I will pick up "Where the Lost Wander" next. (It fits the Buzzword prompt.) My 2021 reading was not very good but I would have to say "This Tender Land" was my favorite of the year.
@@BooksAndJams Thanks, my friend. I am excited to tell you my friends and I are going to start a book club in February. I think it will be a lot of fun. Our first book is the Orphan Train (a re-read for me,)
I thought the twist was great too. I didn't know it was coming so I was loving it. Some people didn't love how it all wrapped up, but I was there for it. Glad you loved it.
I also loved The Book of Lost Names, and Where the Lost Wander which also came in at my number one spot. From what I remember reading (in the author's notes, maybe), the real John Lowrey was her husband's ancestor. She did a deep dive into history for an accurate portrayal. Thank you for helping me add to my growing TBR list! 🙂
Krista your Top Ten Books for 2021 is fantastic! I have read several of these, few on my TBR, but I know if this was my list number 1) would The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel! I loved that book and it was so engaging, I couldn’t put it down. My other favs were: The Four Winds, The Orphan Collector , This Tender Land. To me all 5 stars what a great year for reading- yes?
I enjoy getting your "feed back" on books you've read. I had to skip a couple of spots because a couple of your favs are on my TBR. I've lucked in to several you've mentioned on Kindle. Just finding the time to read them all. Looking forward to more recommendations.
Great video! I love historical fiction. Most of you list I have read or already on my TBR. The rest I am going to put on my TBR. Thanks for the recommendations! You are the best. My favorite book of 2021 was The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah.
Woohoo for Historical Fiction!! I'm reading The Great Alone right now, so I want to pick up The Four Winds, too. Kristin Hannah has a way of keeping you glued to the page. I will definitely be picking up Kristen Harmel this year, too.
Loving the idea of not just top books of the year, but different genres! Looking forward to others! Love your videos! I also picked up The Last Wanderer since you had mentioned or so often. Hoping to get to it soon.
I adored The Girl with the Louding Voice, it was an incredible, heart-wrenching, and beautiful story. Adunni is one of my all-time favorite characters, and the novel was in my top 3 of 2021. 💜 I read this book based off of your recommendation, and I’m so glad I did. ☺️
I have read four of your top ten 😊. I may have added The Orphan Collector to my bookmobile holds list.🤦♀️ I have This Tender Land and where the Lost Wander on my shelves and need to add those to my 2022 TBR. I love some historical fiction.
@@BooksAndJams our county library serves 5 "subcounties" or areas in our county and we have quite a bit of elderly people. So the bookmobile has its own budget (I think) from the county library where it has its own books. The library is set up with the county next to us, so if there is a book in one of those libraries you want to read, then you can put a hold on it and they send it to bookmobile. It sounds so complicated but it's not. 🤦♀️I am not great at explanations.
I love Amy Harmon…From Sand and Ash was my #1 book for 2021. Next will be What the Wind Knows..so impressed with her writing. I want to read all of her books.
I'm excited to watch all your best of vids! Do you have any videos of your favorite historical fiction with romance? Like not historical romance but historical fiction with a decent romance? If I could find it I'd watch it!
I don't have that video. I don't read specifically for the romance so that isn't what I pay attention to usually. I think Melissa from Libraries and Labradors would be great to do that kind of video.
I read and loved A Thousand Splendid Suns last year too! Have you read anything by Olivia Hawker? I read The Ragged Edge of Night and loved it. Her writing is beautiful!
Just requested the girl with the louding voice from the library. Four Winds was definitely my top historical fiction of 2021. Elsa has stayed in my heart. I also loved forest of vanishing star, women with the blue star by pam jenoff , the paris library and the last bookshop in London
I really loved The Book of Lost Names. It was one of my favorites this year. When I was working at my old job I would bring a book for my lunch and I took this book with me and I had to stop reading while eating because of how tense it would get, but it was so good. It was originally a library book, but I wind up buying it. Now I want to read The Vanishing Stars.
Where the Lost Wander is on my January TBR, it fits the Buzzword Challenge for January. I'm pretty sure I added it to my TBR after one of your videos. Kristin Harmel is on my "authors to read in 2022" list probably for the same reason. OK, fine, half of my tbr bookcase is from watching your videos, could you read some horrible books so I can catch up please? Just kidding, your channel is awesome.
Oh, and Shanghai Girls and The Poisonwood Bible were my favorite historical fiction reads of 2021.Mistress of the Art of Death was pretty good too, though I still don’t know if I’ll continue in the series.
I am determined that 2022 is the year I finally read The Poisonwood Bible. I can't believe I've never read it. I am not familiar with Mistress of the Art of Death. Sounds dark! haha.
We have identical taste in historical fiction so I'm excited to add a few of these to my list. One historical fiction I loved recently was The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donaghue.
Have u read The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai? It's a multigenerational historical fiction novel from the perspective of a Vietnamese family living through the Vietnam War. It is such a great book. The book has stuck with me ever since I read it. I highly recommend it.
The only 2 books from your list that I've read are the two Patreon reads and I loved both of them. I have most of the others and want to read all of them, except I'm not sure about Amor Towles. I know his 2 books are well loved, but I'm just not sure they're for me.
I was so hesitant about Amor Towles too. I read Rules of Civility and just didn't care for it. Every time people talked about A Gentleman in Moscow I thought it sounded kind of boring. I couldn't have been more wrong. I fell in love with that book. I think you should at least give it a few chapters and see what you think. I'm so curious if you'll be a convert like I was! haha
The Four Winds was excellent and it just missed making my favorites of the year - but I read a lot of books so it was tough to choose! The Book of Longings, Matrix and Great Circle were my top historical fiction of the year.
I had a tough time choosing this year too...so I did 4 videos of faves! haha. I have Great Circle on my tbr already. I have seen a lot of people praising Matrix in their top lists this year. I wonder if it might be too "literary" for me though. I am not that interested in Book of Longings, but know many have loved it.
I think my favorite read was The Giver of the Stars and next would be the Serendipidity and Secrets series by Erica Vetsch! I don’t know that I can pick one of the three so I’ll go with the whole series!
Lay go s, like legos. My granddaughter's father is from there. (sorry!) Kristin Harmel is on my TBR for author I haven't read before. The Forest of the Vanish Stars sounds very intriguing. Which one would you recommend to begin with? I think I was the only person on the planet that did not care for Where the Lost Wander...I don't know maybe I should try it again.
Thanks, Donna. Don't apologize. I'm happy to be corrected. It's a way to learn and grow. If you like survival stories in general maybe start with Forest of Vanishing Stars. Both are really very good, in my opinion! What was it about Where the Lost Wander that you didn't like? You are more than welcome to that opinion, I'm just curious.
@@BooksAndJams I read it in 2020 and my notes say it was a bit to much romance. Not even sure if it was. I also was offended by the use of "squaw" but now I think that was of the time period. Maybe it's due for a reread. Glad you're not mad. My gdaughter's father corrects on that and don't call him an African, he's a Nigerian.
Yeah we definitely weren't taught about the Indian boarding schools in my schools! I think I read that the last one (in Canada or U.S.? not sure which) closed in *1997* !! Yes I knew that would be #1!! I own it and you're making me want to start it right now 👀
Dee Brown's novel "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" is an excellent account of government and then White treatment the First Nation's People if you'd like to learn more. He covers each of the major Tribe's.
Some more recommendations for you of historical fiction Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles The Promise by Damon Galgut The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant by Ann Tyler A Spool of Blue Thread by Ann Tyler A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles The Good People by Hannah Kent Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
I have read some of these and loved them. I think I need to reread Rules of Civility. I didn't care for it when I read it but loved AGIM. Wonder if I'd feel differently now. Pull of the Stars is very high on my radar. I just unhauled The Good People but loved Burial Rites. Thanks for the recommendations.
Love that we get 4 days of favorites! My top 5 historical fiction mirrors yours in some instances. 5) The Forest of Vanishing Stars, 4) This Tender Land, 3) Sunflower Sisters, 2) Homegoing and 1) The Lincoln Highway. A great reading year for this historical fiction lover!
I really need to read more in the Lilac Girls series of books. I did love that first one a bunch. Homegoing was definitely a fave the year I read that one. We really do have similar historical fiction tastes.
What a fantastic list, Krista! I want to read them all! I have Four Winds and the Abi Dare book on my TBR, so must get to them soon! 😊📚
I would highly recommend all of them! Happy reading!
Loved Where the Lost Wa fer, The Orphan Collector, The Four Winds, and A Thousand Splendid Suns. The Forest of Vanishing Stars and The Lincoln Highway are on my list for this year.
I hope you love them whenever you get to them.
I’m currently reading Where the Lost Wander and LOVING it! 😭❤️ I added it to my TBR after you recommended it a while ago. I’m glad to see it made number 1!
I'm so glad you've picked it up and are loving it so far. I hope it becomes a favorite for you too.
@@BooksAndJams I finished yesterday and loved it 😭 John is such a good man, like, one of those characters that are just... GOOD. You know? I loved him so much ❤️
I can't believe how many of these weren't on my list. I've rectified that, and I can't wait to get to them!!
Woohoo! Always happy to add to your list.
I love that you did a Top Ten of assorted genres. Brilliant idea. Where the Lost Wander is definitely one of my top reads of 2021. I will be buddy reading This Tender Land with Vicky's Book Nook in February. :)
I hope you love This Tender Land. It's so good!
Thank you so much for your videos. Just finished The Forest of Vanishing Starts and loved it so much.
I'm so glad you loved that one. It was what sealed the deal that Kristin Harmel is a favorite author for me.
So many of these I'm hoping to get to this year! Where the Lost Wander is on my tbr for this month so hopefully I'll be picking it up soon
I can't wait to hear what you think!
What a excellent group of historical fiction. I agree with you on the books that I have also read. I am going to read the others.
Nice. Hope you like them all too!
I bought "Where the Lost Wander" because of your reviews earlier in 2021. I still need to read it however, but I will get to it.
I hope you love it!
The Book of Lost Names was excellent. Not a huge historical fiction fan but I’m going to change that this year. So thank you for the suggestion!!!! Can’t wait to dive in!!!
I think this list has some amazing books on it! Hope you find a couple that you end up really enjoying.
Loved & Recommend - The Second Life of Mirielle West & The Lions of Fifth Avenue!
I definitely want to read more from Fiona Davis. I have heard a few people read and love Mirielle West this year. It's on my radar for sure and I just added it to my wishlist so I don't forget about it. Thanks for the recs!
Totally agree with you on Where the Lost Wander, super book. Have you read any Kate Furnivall books? I also discovered Ann (without an E) Bennett’s books last year and loving reading through all of them. Happy reading 📚
I haven't read Kate Furnivall or Ann Bennett. Will have to look them up. Thanks for the recommendations!
Love it! Yes for Where the Lost Wander! It made its way into my top as well. Nature of Fragile Things did too! Can't wait to read some of these other ones you mentioned. Basically book twins!
I'm cool with being book twins with you. I just need to branch out into more nonfiction. And throw in a bee book every now and then. haha.
Where the Lost Wander was my number 1 book of the year as well. It was the very first book I read in 2021. I love that book! Historical Fiction is my favorite genre as well.
I love it when a book read so early in the year makes into the best of the year lists. That's amazing.
Very excited that we're getting your favorites from 2021! Loved many of the same ones and several on my TBR pile! Thanks, Krista
You're so welcome! I had to list a ton of favorites. 2021 was a really great reading year for me.
I’m currently reading Where the Lost Wander and can’t stop thinking about it when I’m not reading it. Incredible so far! Naomi may be one of my favorite characters ever.
SO SO good! I think I want to reread it soon. I just loved it so much.
Wow what a great list!! I have read The Nature of Fragile Things, The Four Winds, This Tender Land, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and Where the Lost Wander. I thought all of them were great too! I had all but 2 of the other on my TBR. They are now on there 😛!
Love it. All but 2 either read already or on your radar. You'll have to let me know some of your favorites that I might not have read. We clearly have very similar tastes.
@@BooksAndJams hmm some of my favorites that I dont know if you read are The Fountains of Silence, Words on Fire (middle grade), Listening for Lions (also middle grade), The Huntress, The Great Alone, and Pillars of the Earth (I read this a long time ago and I remember it being a bit graphic so not sure I would still love it).
So very excited to see The Lincoln Highway made it to your top ten! I still have not yet read it, but seeing it on your list makes me all the more excited to do so!
A few on your list made it to my top favorites of the year as well, such as The Four Winds, The Nature of Fragile Things, and The Book of Lost Names. I really want to read The Girl with the Louding Voice. I hope to do so sometime this year!
After thinking about it I'm not sure I'd classify The Girl with the Louding Voice as historical fiction, but still, it's a fantastic (and hard at times) read. Hope you love it.
I’ve read almost all the same books. Love them!! I agree with the #10!!! Love it!!
Glad we have so much in common. I'd love to hear some of your recent faves.
Hi Krista! Such amazing choices!! So many of your favorites, were mine, as well. Here’s to fantastic reading in 2022🥰
It was a great reading year. Here's hoping 2022 is just as great!
Such great ones on this list! I read The Orphan Collector, The Nature of Fragile Things, The Book of Lost Names and This Tender Land. All were fantastic!
We do have some similar tastes! What would you say is one of your favorite historical fiction reads of the year?
I really was moved by The Orphan Collector, there were so many different emotions going on in there, just kept me turning the pages which I love.I also really loved This Tender Land, my sweet Mum who has since passed away highly encouraged me to read it and I am so glad I did. I very much miss her for many things, sharing a love of reading and books is one of them. I remember many a time taking a bag full of books to share over to her house and we would sit out on her back porch and talk about books, have some lunch, and just enjoy each other's company. 💕
I love that you have that mom connection to This Tender Land. I'm sure that makes it even more special to you. How wonderful that you were able to share a love of reading together as well as other things. Love that memory you shared. Priceless.
I read As Bright as Heaven by SUsan Meissner because of your recomendation, so thank you! I've put on hold her other books at the library, now. I'm also picking up Four Winds tomorrow from the library and signed out the Orphan COllector audiobook. Thanks for this video!
You're welcome! Glad you are now hooked on Susan Meissner! haha. Love that.
I'm writing down so many of these! they sound so good!
I hope you enjoy them whenever you get to them!
Where the Lost Wander was my favourite of all the historical fiction that I read as well. I don't usually read books a second time, but thi This is one that I want to read over and over. Beautiful book!
This Tender Land was another one that I read so quickly. Could not put it down!
Thanks Krista for sharing your faves with us! Loved it!
I am thinking I'd like to reread Where the Lost Wander this year too, but I want to read a few more of her other books that I own first. She's fantastic.
Such a great top 10, Krista! I've read a few, have a few I have awaiting me on my TBR pile because of your loving them, and now I'll be adding more. Fun post! My favorite historical fiction last year was The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, The Kite Runner, The Hiding Place, the Nature of Fragile Things and A Hundred Flowers. If a Gentleman in Moscow is considered historical fiction then that is definitely up there on that list too!
The Hiding Place is a book I'd love to reread. I read it in High School, which was a looooong time ago! I have a beautiful edition of it and would like to revisit that one. I am not familiar with A Hundred Flowers. I'll have to look that one up.
@@BooksAndJams One Hundred Flowers is a historical fiction of Mao's takeover of China and how it affected a family.
Thank you, Krista. Your reviews of historical fiction have added 4 of these books and others to my extensive TBR.
Yay! Always glad to add to those TBR lists.
I also loved Girl with the Louding Voice. I will have to try some of these others.
I hope you do! So many good ones.
I am also a big fan of Kristen Hannah and love the Four Winds even though parts of it were hard to read. I also enjoyed This Tender Land.. I read A Thousand Splendid Suns quite some time ago, but remember really liking it. Did you read The Rose Code? I am a big fan of Kate Quinn. I really loved this book.
I haven't read The Rose Code yet, but have loved Kate Quinn in the past so I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy that one too.
I also read A Thousand Splendid Suns this year! Like you said, Difficult to read, but really good. And I added Where The Lost Wander and The Orphan Collector to my reading list because of your recommendations.
Always happy to add to those reading lists!
Thank you!! My TBR pile just grew and I can't wait to start diving into some good books!
I'm glad you added a few to your tbr.
It’s SO true that historical fiction can be hard-hitting but so hopeful as well. I just love this genre so much. I’m putting a huge emphasis on reading it this year. Where The Lost Wander is tippy top of my TBR, a definite 5 star prediction! 😍
Someone wanted me to do a video of historical fiction with a good romance in them...not historical romance. I recommend that you be the one to do that video! I think you'd nail it.
I loved The Orphan Collector and The Four Winds. I really want to read The Nature of Fragile Things and
The Book of Lost Friends.
I hope you love them whenever you pick them up.
WOW! What a great list! I own a lot of these books but haven't read them yet. UGH! I think I will pick up "Where the Lost Wander" next. (It fits the Buzzword prompt.)
My 2021 reading was not very good but I would have to say "This Tender Land" was my favorite of the year.
I hope your 2022 is better all around, not just in reading. You're awesome.
@@BooksAndJams Thanks, my friend. I am excited to tell you my friends and I are going to start a book club in February. I think it will be a lot of fun. Our first book is the Orphan Train (a re-read for me,)
I finished This Tender Land last night. Loved it! Didn’t see the twist coming which I also loved.
I thought the twist was great too. I didn't know it was coming so I was loving it. Some people didn't love how it all wrapped up, but I was there for it. Glad you loved it.
I also loved The Book of Lost Names, and Where the Lost Wander which also came in at my number one spot. From what I remember reading (in the author's notes, maybe), the real John Lowrey was her husband's ancestor. She did a deep dive into history for an accurate portrayal.
Thank you for helping me add to my growing TBR list! 🙂
I think I remember that too, now that you say that. I love that personal connection. Can't believe I forgot that.
Krista your Top Ten Books for 2021 is fantastic! I have read several of these, few on my TBR, but I know if this was my list number 1) would The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel! I loved that book and it was so engaging, I couldn’t put it down. My other favs were: The Four Winds, The Orphan Collector , This Tender Land. To me all 5 stars what a great year for reading- yes?
It was a fantastic reading year for sure! Glad you loved so many of our patron book club books!
I enjoy getting your "feed back" on books you've read. I had to skip a couple of spots because a couple of your favs are on my TBR. I've lucked in to several you've mentioned on Kindle. Just finding the time to read them all. Looking forward to more recommendations.
Thanks for watching. Nothing here was spoilery, but I understand not wanting to hear much about books on your tbr. No worries.
Great video! I love historical fiction. Most of you list I have read or already on my TBR. The rest I am going to put on my TBR. Thanks for the recommendations! You are the best. My favorite book of 2021 was The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah.
I love The Nightingale so much. It was my favorite book for a few years.
Woohoo for Historical Fiction!! I'm reading The Great Alone right now, so I want to pick up The Four Winds, too. Kristin Hannah has a way of keeping you glued to the page. I will definitely be picking up Kristen Harmel this year, too.
I agree. Kristin Hannah is a spectacular storyteller. I have loved quite a few of her books. Hope you enjoy Kristin Harmel this year.
Loving the idea of not just top books of the year, but different genres! Looking forward to others! Love your videos! I also picked up The Last Wanderer since you had mentioned or so often. Hoping to get to it soon.
I just had too many favorites to squeeze into one list! haha.
I adored The Girl with the Louding Voice, it was an incredible, heart-wrenching, and beautiful story. Adunni is one of my all-time favorite characters, and the novel was in my top 3 of 2021. 💜 I read this book based off of your recommendation, and I’m so glad I did. ☺️
I am so glad you also loved it. Yeah, Adunni is a character that will stick with me for a long time I think.
I have read four of your top ten 😊. I may have added The Orphan Collector to my bookmobile holds list.🤦♀️
I have This Tender Land and where the Lost Wander on my shelves and need to add those to my 2022 TBR.
I love some historical fiction.
I love the sound of a bookmobile. Is it basically a traveling library? I would love to see something like that.
@@BooksAndJams our county library serves 5 "subcounties" or areas in our county and we have quite a bit of elderly people. So the bookmobile has its own budget (I think) from the county library where it has its own books. The library is set up with the county next to us, so if there is a book in one of those libraries you want to read, then you can put a hold on it and they send it to bookmobile. It sounds so complicated but it's not. 🤦♀️I am not great at explanations.
I love Amy Harmon…From Sand and Ash was my #1 book for 2021. Next will be What the Wind Knows..so impressed with her writing. I want to read all of her books.
I think What the Wind Knows will be my next Amy Harmon too.
I'm going to do my favorites by genre for 2022... that's a great idea!
I just had so many to share this year. I didn't want to leave any out by making one list all together.
I'm excited to watch all your best of vids! Do you have any videos of your favorite historical fiction with romance? Like not historical romance but historical fiction with a decent romance? If I could find it I'd watch it!
I don't have that video. I don't read specifically for the romance so that isn't what I pay attention to usually. I think Melissa from Libraries and Labradors would be great to do that kind of video.
I read and loved A Thousand Splendid Suns last year too! Have you read anything by Olivia Hawker? I read The Ragged Edge of Night and loved it. Her writing is beautiful!
I haven't heard of Olivia Hawker. Thanks for the recommendation. I will look her up.
Just requested the girl with the louding voice from the library. Four Winds was definitely my top historical fiction of 2021. Elsa has stayed in my heart. I also loved forest of vanishing star, women with the blue star by pam jenoff , the paris library and the last bookshop in London
Elsa was a remarkable character for sure. I think you will fall in love with Adunni in Girl with the Louding Voice too.
I really loved The Book of Lost Names. It was one of my favorites this year. When I was working at my old job I would bring a book for my lunch and I took this book with me and I had to stop reading while eating because of how tense it would get, but it was so good. It was originally a library book, but I wind up buying it. Now I want to read The Vanishing Stars.
It did have some intense moments for sure. Most WWII books do.
I really enjoyed The Book Thief and The Rose Code this year
I want to read The Rose Code. I have enjoyed Kate Quinn's books so far.
Where the Lost Wander is on my January TBR, it fits the Buzzword Challenge for January. I'm pretty sure I added it to my TBR after one of your videos. Kristin Harmel is on my "authors to read in 2022" list probably for the same reason. OK, fine, half of my tbr bookcase is from watching your videos, could you read some horrible books so I can catch up please? Just kidding, your channel is awesome.
Haha. Always happy to add to your TBR! :) Thanks for your kind words.
Oh, and Shanghai Girls and The Poisonwood Bible were my favorite historical fiction reads of 2021.Mistress of the Art of Death was pretty good too, though I still don’t know if I’ll continue in the series.
I am determined that 2022 is the year I finally read The Poisonwood Bible. I can't believe I've never read it. I am not familiar with Mistress of the Art of Death. Sounds dark! haha.
We have identical taste in historical fiction so I'm excited to add a few of these to my list. One historical fiction I loved recently was The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donaghue.
I have Pull of the Stars on my shelves. Glad to hear you loved it.
@@BooksAndJams The Pull of the Stars is wonderful!
Have u read The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai? It's a multigenerational historical fiction novel from the perspective of a Vietnamese family living through the Vietnam War. It is such a great book. The book has stuck with me ever since I read it. I highly recommend it.
I haven't read that one. Sounds great. Thanks for the rec.
The only 2 books from your list that I've read are the two Patreon reads and I loved both of them. I have most of the others and want to read all of them, except I'm not sure about Amor Towles. I know his 2 books are well loved, but I'm just not sure they're for me.
I was so hesitant about Amor Towles too. I read Rules of Civility and just didn't care for it. Every time people talked about A Gentleman in Moscow I thought it sounded kind of boring. I couldn't have been more wrong. I fell in love with that book. I think you should at least give it a few chapters and see what you think. I'm so curious if you'll be a convert like I was! haha
The Four Winds was excellent and it just missed making my favorites of the year - but I read a lot of books so it was tough to choose! The Book of Longings, Matrix and Great Circle were my top historical fiction of the year.
I had a tough time choosing this year too...so I did 4 videos of faves! haha. I have Great Circle on my tbr already. I have seen a lot of people praising Matrix in their top lists this year. I wonder if it might be too "literary" for me though. I am not that interested in Book of Longings, but know many have loved it.
I think my favorite read was The Giver of the Stars and next would be the Serendipidity and Secrets series by Erica Vetsch! I don’t know that I can pick one of the three so I’ll go with the whole series!
I loved Giver of Stars too. Never heard of that series. Will have to check it out. Thanks.
I LOVED Where the Lost Wander, I still think about it!! I really need to pick up my Kristen Harmel books 🤣
I have a few more K Harmel books to read too. I loved these two, so hopefully I like her older ones just as much.
Lay go s, like legos. My granddaughter's father is from there. (sorry!) Kristin Harmel is on my TBR for author I haven't read before. The Forest of the Vanish Stars sounds very intriguing. Which one would you recommend to begin with? I think I was the only person on the planet that did not care for Where the Lost Wander...I don't know maybe I should try it again.
Thanks, Donna. Don't apologize. I'm happy to be corrected. It's a way to learn and grow. If you like survival stories in general maybe start with Forest of Vanishing Stars. Both are really very good, in my opinion! What was it about Where the Lost Wander that you didn't like? You are more than welcome to that opinion, I'm just curious.
@@BooksAndJams I read it in 2020 and my notes say it was a bit to much romance. Not even sure if it was. I also was offended by the use of "squaw" but now I think that was of the time period. Maybe it's due for a reread. Glad you're not mad. My gdaughter's father corrects on that and don't call him an African, he's a Nigerian.
Where the Lost Wander was SO good! ♥️
I have loved all 3 Amy Harmon I've read so far. Can't wait to read more.
Yeah we definitely weren't taught about the Indian boarding schools in my schools! I think I read that the last one (in Canada or U.S.? not sure which) closed in *1997* !!
Yes I knew that would be #1!! I own it and you're making me want to start it right now 👀
1997! That infuriates me. How?? Just how?!?
Almost bought Girl with the Louding Voice recently through BOTM. Forest of Vanishing Stars is on my tbr.
There are some scenes in Girl with Louding Voice that are quite difficult, but I think it's so worth it overall.
@@BooksAndJams ok thanks for the heads up
The girl with a louding voice is sooo hard hitting but well written 😊
Agree. Definitely worth the read.
Dee Brown's novel "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" is an excellent account of government and then White treatment the First Nation's People if you'd like to learn more. He covers each of the major Tribe's.
Thanks for that rec. I added it to my goodreads want to read list. Sounds so interesting.
I really wanted to get to Where the Lost Wander this year but alas when I went into my slump it just didn’t happen. 2022!! That’s it.
I don't think I've read either of those authors. Will need to look them up. Thanks for the recs.
Some more recommendations for you of historical fiction
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller
The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
The Promise by Damon Galgut
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant by Ann Tyler
A Spool of Blue Thread by Ann Tyler
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
The Good People by Hannah Kent
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
I have read some of these and loved them. I think I need to reread Rules of Civility. I didn't care for it when I read it but loved AGIM. Wonder if I'd feel differently now. Pull of the Stars is very high on my radar. I just unhauled The Good People but loved Burial Rites. Thanks for the recommendations.
I know this video is old, but maybe you'll still see this! When you say you've read hundreds of books in a year, are you including audiobooks???
Yes, that number includes audiobooks. I am either reading with my eyes or ears. Either way I get all the words and spend the same amount of time.
@@BooksAndJams I do a lot of both too!!
I liked the book of lost names
Yeah, it was a good one for sure. Have you read anything else by Kristin Harmel?
I love kristin hannah but not sure if i’ll like the four winds? Im ok with depressing but this sounds… a lot! Like no joy
It is a lot, but there are moments of strength, friendship, and hope sprinkled in there.
Where the list wander I found sooooo boring
Oh bummer. I'm sorry to hear that. I obviously loved it! haha.